Victoria Falls: 01 Dec. 2014 - Zimbabwe’s resort town of Victoria Falls played host to the 2014 Continental World Aids Day commemorations, as Africa joined the rest of the world in commemorating the day. The commemoration, which was held under the theme ”Getting to Zero in Africa: Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility” brought together people living with HIV; AIDS activists; partners; donors; and representatives from selected African Member States among others. The African Union sent a high powered delegation led by the Commissioner of Social Affairs, Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko.

The Guest of Honour, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said that Africa is endowed with natural resources and called on its Member States to  initiate home grown initiatives of financing HIV and AIDS interventions using their natural resources. “There is need for enabling policy, legal provisions as well as domestic financing if we are to get to zero in Africa” said Dr Parirenyatwa. He also noted the need for Africa to integrate efforts to fight HIV and AIDS as a continent, which he said might be done through the launch of a Regional HIV fund for Africa.  Back home, Dr Parirenyatwa said that prevention remains the core national strategy of combating the HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe, and urged expecting mothers to take advantage of PMTCT interventions to avoid infecting their babies before during and after delivery in order for Zimbabwe and Africa to get to zero.

Other speakers on the day acknowledged and applauded Zimbabwe’s decreased HIV prevalence and incidence rates.  Zimbabwe is one of the countries in the region that has recorded an impressive and significant decline in HIV prevalence over the past decade, and the National AIDS Trust Fund was particularly noted as a great innovation by the country in ensuring domestic and more sustainable financing of HIV and AIDS interventions. There were, however, calls to avoid being complacent in the face of the decline in HIV prevalence and incidence because the epidemic is yet to be conquered. WR/Zimbabwe, Dr David Okello aptly summed it up when he said, “We are confident that an AIDS free generation is within our reach - we just need to persevere and not relax, and we will get there.” If the enthusiasm and commitment shown on the day is anything to go by, then the dream of getting to zero in Africa is not mere rhetoric but can be achieved.